The Visitor (#3 - The Craig Modern Thriller Series) (40 page)

“You open it for me, Nick.”

He wasn’t that drunk. It was just that if it was bad news he’d know soon enough, and if it was good, it would be nice for her to tell him. She smiled and gave in, ripping the envelope open expertly, with a long red fingernail.

“How do you type with those nails?” He dragged the ‘s’ out, slurring it slightly.

“Very quickly, that’s how.” She read the envelope’s contents and grinned.

“It’s guilty, sir. They’ve found Ewing guilty of murder. Sentencing is in two weeks and they want your report.”

Craig stood so still that at first she thought he hadn’t heard her. Then he grinned broadly and punched the air. “Brilliant. Bloody brilliant.”
Now
he wished that Roger Doyle would turn up!

“Come with me.” He dragged her inside the bar. “Everyone, Nicky’s got some good news”

“You’re not pregnant again are you, Nicky?”

John’s secretary Marcie raised her orange juice in sympathy, and Nicky shook her head furiously.

“God no, he’s just winding you up. It’s you guys who have the good news. Ewing was found guilty of murder. We’ve just got the verdict through.”

The bar erupted in whoops and air punches, giving the party fresh energy. Craig got Nicky a drink and put even more money behind the bar. This was excellent news.

The bright spring evening made the party stretch on, until the funfair’s fireworks started at nine. Everyone moved to the water’s edge, to watch the noisy rainbow. John stood beside Craig quietly, leaning on a cast-iron bollard.

“It makes me feel young when you wear your jeans, Marc. I don’t feel half as stupid in my silver shoes.” He stared at his feet. “They seemed so normal in the lab.”

“Anything seems normal in your lab.” They sipped their beers in a communicative silence built over thirty years.

“I’m going to look at the Marina tomorrow, John. Lucia said it’s great. You should come with me. I’m taking up sailing again. I could teach you.”

Before John had a chance to reply he felt a sudden tap on his shoulder. He turned to see a petite, dark-haired woman smiling up at him. “Hello, John.”

For a moment confusion flicked across his face, like when you see someone familiar in an unexpected place. Then he smiled down at her tenderly. “Hello, Natalie. How have you been?”

She gazed up at him, unblinking. “I’ve missed you, John. I...I can’t stand this being apart.”

Bright tears filled her eyes and he reached down to hug her, whispering softly. “Neither can I. We need to talk.”

Craig moved away discretely, leaving them alone. As he walked back towards the bar he pulled out his mobile to make a call. He was just pressing ‘dial’ when he recognised a familiar perfume. Its warmth enveloped him, the soft scent of jasmine reminding him of nights spent in the Mediterranean. And Julia.

He wheeled round, to see her standing there, her long ruby curls shining in the fading light.

“But…how? I thought you were working this weekend?”

She reached forward and kissed him deeply, ignoring the curious looks of the crowd outside the bar. He smiled at her, unembarrassed, the question still in his eyes. She pointed towards The James and he turned, to see Lucia raise a glass towards them.

“Lucia called me and told me about your week, so I swopped my shift. I...I hope you don’t mind?”

Her uncertainty touched him and he stroked her cheek gently. “Mind? I couldn’t be happier. It means we can start looking for somewhere to live first thing tomorrow.”

“Not with the hangover that we’ll both have.”

As they walked towards the bar laughing, no one but Natalie saw Katy Stevens turn on her heel and walk away.

THE END

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